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Government of Western Australia Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
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Click here for information about sprinkler restrictions in Western Australia for scheme water and garden bore users. Includes area maps, rostered days and exemptions.

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Garden bores are small domestic groundwater bores for private garden irrigation. Click here for more information about your garden bore, licence exemptions and being ‘bore water-wise’ in your garden.

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Exemptions

There are some activities that do not require a licence or permit. The following information outlines these exemptions.

Construct a well and take groundwater exemption

A licence is not required to construct a well or to take water if:

  1. The development is within the water table (non-artesian) aquifer; and
  2. Water is only used for domestic purposes such as:
  • domestic and ordinary use
  • watering an area of lawn or garden less than 0.2 ha
  • fire fighting
  • watering cattle or other stock not raised under intensive conditions as defined in section 21(4) of the Rights in Water and irrigation Act 1914.

Note: A licence will be required if the property requires more than 1500 kL/year from the groundwater resource in a proclaimed area.

Monitoring well exemption

A licence to construct a well is not required if:

  1. The development is within the water table (non-artesian) aquifer; and
  2. The well is required for monitoring water level or water quality.

Dewatering exemption

A licence is not required for dewatering purposes if:

  1. The development is within the water table (non-artesian) aquifer; and
  2. water is taken from the well solely for the purpose of removing underground water to facilitate construction or other activity (that is, dewatering); and
  3. the water is taken at a pump rate not exceeding 10 litres per second over a period of less than 30 consecutive days; and
  4. the volume of water taken over the period does not exceed 25 000 kilolitres.

Surface water exemption (riparian right)

A licence is not required to take surface water if the landowner/occupier of any land in direct contact with a watercourse or wetland requires water for:

  1. domestic and ordinary use
  2. watering cattle/stock not raised under intensive conditions; or
  3. to irrigate garden not exceeding 2 ha (not used for commercial purposes), as long as the garden is part of the riparian land and is connected with a dwelling;
  4. to the extent that the flow of water in the watercourse or amount of water in the wetland is not sensibly diminished for any other purpose.

Note: A licence will be required if the property requires more than 1500 kL/year from the watercourse in a proclaimed area.

Note: Permits to interfere with the beds and banks of a watercourse are required in proclaimed areas, regardless of whether a riparian right to take water exists.

Farm dams and tank exemptions

A landholder can drain their land, or build a dam or tank on their land without a licence as long as:

  1. the dam or tank is not on a watercourse or wetland
  2. there is no sensible reduction (that is, a noticeable change) in the volume or flow of water in a watercourse or wetland
  3. there are no significant environmental effects
  4. the development is consistent with local by-laws
  5. the dam does not intercept the groundwater table.

Still unsure? Please contact your regional Department of Water and Environmental Regulation office, call 1800 508 885 or email licence.enquiry@water.wa.gov.au to confirm your licensing requirements.

Page last updated - 15 Jan 2018
Exemptions


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Call 1800 508 885 or send an email to confirm your licensing requirements.

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The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was established by the Government of Western Australia on 1 July 2017. It is a result of the amalgamation of the Department of Environment Regulation, Department of Water and the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority. This website/publication may contain references to previous government departments and programs. Please email the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to clarify any specific information.

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